(Stroke. 2005;36:1270.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.
Original Contributions |
From the Department of Neurology (G.C.P., S.M., K.B., C.D., H.M., U.D., J.P.D.) and the Department of Experimental Neurology (G.C.P., O.W., S.H., S.M., D.M., C.D., U.D.), CharitéUniversity Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; the Johannes Müller Institute of Physiology (S.G., U.H.), CharitéUniversity Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; the Department of Neurosurgery (T.-N.L.), CharitéUniversity Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; and the Department of Psychiatry (O.P.), CharitéUniversity Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Correspondence to Dr Jens P. Dreier, Department of Neurology, CharitéUniversity Medicine Berlin, Schumannstr. 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany. E-mail jens.dreier{at}charite.de
| Abstract |
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Methods Cranial window preparations, laser Doppler flowmetry, and K+-sensitive/reference microelectrodes were used to record SD, SD-like depolarizations, and SI in rats in vivo; microelectrodes and intrinsic optical signal measurements were used to record SD and SD-like depolarizations in human and rat brain slices.
Results In vivo, the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) blocked SD propagation under physiological conditions, but did not block SD-like depolarizations or SI under high baseline [K+]o. Similar results were found in human and rat neocortical slices with both MK-801 and the competitive NMDAR antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid.
Conclusions Our data suggest that elevated baseline [K+]o reduces the efficacy of NMDAR antagonists on SD-like depolarizations and SI. In conditions of moderate energy depletion, as in the ischemic penumbra, or after subarachnoid hemorrhage, NMDAR inhibition may not be sufficient to block these depolarizations.
Key Words: brain injuries N-methyl-D-aspartate spreading cortical depression stroke subarachnoid hemorrhage trauma
| Introduction |
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N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists have been regarded promising candidates to inhibit SD-like depolarizations and SI, because they block SD under physiological conditions.1314 However, their efficacy seems to be reduced under energy depletion.1517 Here, we have studied whether elevated baseline [K+]o may be the cause of this reduced drug efficacy.
| Materials and Methods |
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In Vivo Experiments
Male Wistar rats (250 to 450 grams; Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Mass) were anesthetized with 100 mg/kg thiopental (BYK-Chemie) intraperitoneally, tracheotomized, and ventilated (Rodent-Respirator; Effenberger). Saline solution was infused through the femoral artery. Mean arterial pressure, PaO2, PaCO2, and pH were monitored. Body temperature was maintained at 38.0±0.5°C. After craniotomy and dura removal, a single cranial window was implanted in groups 1 to 3, and 2 windows in group 4.8 The cortex was continuously superfused with carbogenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) containing (mmol) 152 Na+, 3 K+, 1.5 Ca2+, 1.2 Mg2+, 24.5 HCO3, 135 Cl, 3.7 glucose, and 6.7 urea. Cerebral blood flow was monitored with 2 laser Doppler probes (Perimed, Järfälla, Sweden). Intracortical extracellular [K+]o and steady (direct current [DC]) potential were measured with 2 K+-selective/reference microelectrodes (300 µm depth). Subarachnoid DC potential and electrocorticogram were recorded by an AgCl electrode. The parameters were recorded using a chart recorder (DASH-IV; Astro-Med). Absolute DC potential and [K+]o changes were analyzed; cerebral blood flow changes were calculated in relation to baseline at the onset of experiments (100%; zero levels were established at the end of experiments after global ischemia).
Brain Slices and Measurement of SD
Wistar rats (150 to 200 grams) were decapitated under ether anesthesia. Coronal neocortical slices (400 µm) were obtained using a vibratome (WPI) and perfused with prewarmed carbogenated ACSF containing (mmol) 126 NaCl, 3 KCl, 2 MgSO4, 2 CaCl2, 10 glucose, 1.25 NaH2PO4, and 26 NaHCO3 (pH 7.4) in an interface-type chamber. Human neocortical tissue was obtained from patients undergoing surgery for pharmacoresistent epilepsy. The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the local ethics committee (patients gave written informed consent). Slices (400 µm) were prepared as described.18
DC potential amplitude, duration at half-maximal amplitude (T
max), and [K+]o were recorded by 2 K+-selective/reference microelectrodes in layers II/III and digitized with a DASH-8u recorder (Astro-Med). Intrinsic optical signals were monitored by transilluminating slices and recorded using a microscope-mounted CCD camera. The control image in a series, captured before SD, was subtracted from each subsequent image, revealing changes in light transmittance (LT) over time. Regions of interest were selected to quantify and compare LT changes. SD velocity was determined by the propagation of the transient LT decrease.
| Results |
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NMDAR Blockade Does not Inhibit SI
In group 1, we generated SI by continuously applying the nitric oxide scavenger hemoglobin (2.5 mmol/L) and increasing [K+]ACSF in a stepwise manner (3, 25, 35 mmol/L)8 (n=6). [K+]o gradually increased before SI (caudal microelectrode, 6.7±1.0 mmol/L; rostral microelectrode, 9.1±4.4 mmol/L). SI was characterized by a long-lasting cerebral blood flow decrease to ischemic levels, followed by a transient hyperemia (Table 2 and Figure 1A). These flow changes were accompanied by a transient negativation of the DC potential and a transient peak of [K+]o. The delay between the onset of the hypoperfusion at the 2 laser probes indicated a propagation of the ischemic flow changes. This group was compared with group 2 (n=6) in which SI was generated by the same protocol, but the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (5 mg/kg) was bolus-injected twice intravenously: at normal and at elevated [K+]ACSF. SI occurred despite NMDAR blockade (indicated by a decrease of the electrocorticographic amplitude after MK-801 injection) at a similar threshold as in group 1.
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NMDAR Blockade Does Not Inhibit SD-Like Depolarizations at High [K+]o
We superfused the cortex with high [K+]ACSF (130 mmol/L) to generate SD-like depolarizations in vivo (n=5; lower [K+]ACSF does not reliably induce SD-like depolarizations in vivo10). The microelectrodes and laser probes were positioned at opposite ends of a single cranial window. Before the SD-like depolarizations, [K+]o increased to 7.7±6.8 mmol/L (caudally) and 5.7±5.8 mmol/L (rostrally). SD-like depolarizations occurred in all animals, characterized by a negative DC shift, a transient [K+]o increase, and a short hypoperfusion and transient hyperemia as described.10 There was a delay between the recording sites at the window, indicating a propagation of the neurovascular changes (Figure 1B). Compared with SI (groups 1 to 2), the DC shift duration and the extent and duration of the hypoperfusion were significantly smaller (P<0.001, Student t test). After 3 SD-like depolarizations had been recorded, the perfusion was switched to physiological ACSF and MK-801 was bolus-injected. When MK-801 had reached the cerebral tissue, we again increased [K+]ACSF. This induced repetitive SD-like depolarizations in all animals with no differences to SD-like depolarizations without MK-801, but at a significantly higher K+ threshold (15.6±4.9 mmol/L caudally, 11.3±4.7 mmol/L rostrally). Thus, NMDAR blockade shifted the threshold, but it did not block SD-like depolarizations at high [K+]o.
NMDAR Blockade Prevents SD Propagation From Tissue With Elevated [K+]o Into Tissue With Normal [K+]o
We implanted 2 ipsilateral cranial windows to investigate the susceptibility of SD-like depolarizations and SD to MK-801 (n=5). The caudal window was superfused with high [K+]ACSF (130 mmol/L) to generate SD-like depolarizations, and these depolarizations were then recorded as SDs at the rostral window superfused with physiological ACSF throughout the experiments. High [K+]ACSF at the caudal window caused a gradual increase in [K+]o (6.7±3.7 mmol/L), whereas [K+]o remained constant rostrally; 5±4 SD-like depolarizations occurred at the caudal window, and 3±1 of these depolarizations propagated to the rostral window. After MK-801 administration, SD-like depolarizations still occurred at the caudal window (8±2/60 minutes), but propagation into the rostral window was completely blocked. Figure 2 illustrates an example.
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NMDAR Blockade Blocks SD Under Normal in Contrast to High [K+]o in Rat Brain Slices
We tested whether NMDAR antagonists shift the threshold for SD-like depolarizations evoked by high [K+]o. We increased [K+]ACSF in a stepwise manner (2.5 mmol/L/60 minutes) in rat neocortical slices perfused with the competitive NMDAR antagonist 2-APV (n=6). The first SD-like depolarization occurred when [K+]o reached 12.3±1.7 mmol/L, characterized by a negative DC shift and a transient increase of [K+]o (Table 3). Optical changes consisted of a sudden LT decrease simultaneously with the DC shift. Occasionally, depolarizations initiated at several foci at approximately the same time. After post-SD recovery, slices were perfused with 2-APV (30 µmol/L) under continuously elevated [K+]ACSF. No SD-like depolarization occurred under this condition, whereas SD-like depolarizations were detected at the same [K+]ACSF in control slices of the contralateral hemisphere. Subsequently, [K+]ACSF was further raised by 5 mmol/L during continuous perfusion with 2-APV, inducing SD-like depolarizations in all slices. The electrophysiological and optical parameters did not differ significantly. An example is given in Figure 3A.
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The same protocol was followed in group 6 (n=6), but MK-801 (20 µmol/L) was applied instead. The first SD-like depolarization occurred when [K+]o had reached 11.6±3.1 mmol/L. No further SD-like depolarization was detected during perfusion with MK-801 at this [K+]ACSF, contrarily to control slices. When [K+]ACSF was further increased by 5 mmol/L, SD-like depolarizations occurred in all slices perfused with MK-801. Thus, although NMDAR antagonists shifted the doseresponse curve for SD-like depolarizations evoked by high [K+]ACSF, their efficacy to block SD-like depolarizations was significantly reduced by high [K+]ACSF similar to the in vivo findings.
As previously reported,6 SD was completely blocked in slices perfused with physiological ACSF and either MK-801 (group 7, n=6) or 2-APV (group 8, n=6), in which SD was triggered by local microinjection of 3 mol/L KCl into layers II/III using a glass capillary. Repetitive SDs were inducible in all control slices.
NMDAR Blockade Fails to Inhibit SD-Like Depolarizations in Human Slices Under High [K+]o
After a stepwise [K+]ACSF increase (2.5 mmol/L per 60 minutes), SD-like depolarizations occurred in human neocortex when [K+]o reached 23.9±3.6 mmol/L (n=6). Thus, the threshold was statistically higher compared with rat neocortex (P<0.001, Student t test). Subsequently, MK-801 (20 µmol/L) was perfused at the elevated [K+]ACSF. No further SD-like depolarizations occurred during that period, whereas they were observed in neighboring slices that served as controls. Subsequently, [K+]ACSF was further raised by 5 mmol/L during continuous perfusion with MK-801, inducing SD-like depolarizations in all slices. An example is depicted in Figure 3B.
| Discussion |
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SD-like depolarizations may augment tissue damage.4,7 Because NMDAR antagonists block SD in normal tissue, they have been regarded as promising drugs to ameliorate the deleterious effect of SD-like depolarizations. NMDAR inhibitors reduced the frequency of SD-like depolarizations after experimental focal ischemia,4,16,17 but they had no effect on anoxic depolarization (AD).6,13,14 However, compared with their potent effect on "normal" SDs, the efficacy of NMDAR antagonists on SD-like depolarizations was lower.4,1517 Likewise, we found that NMDAR antagonists increased the threshold for SD-like depolarizations, but their efficacy was dramatically reduced when [K+]o was increased, implicating that under pathological conditions, SD-like depolarizations originating in tissue with elevated [K+]o may not be blocked by NMDAR antagonists. Given the gradual evolution from AD to SD-like depolarizations to SD, these depolarizations may become more susceptible to NMDAR inhibitors as they propagate away from the compromised tissue, suggesting that SD-like depolarizations may still occur in the injured tissue under NMDAR blockade even though they may not be recorded in the infarct periphery. Notably, the therapeutic time window of NMDAR antagonists in some animal models of stroke closes well before the majority of SD-like depolarizations appears,25 suggesting that effects other than SD inhibition, eg, lowered posthypoxic oxygen consumption,26 may contribute to their neuroprotective effect. In contrast, it was recently demonstrated that after focal ischemia, delayed application of an NMDAR antagonist reduced infarct size and the frequency of SD-like depolarizations.4 Moreover, MK-801 inhibited SD-like depolarizations under high [K+]ACSF in rat brain slices at a higher concentration.27 However, a threshold shift may have not been detected because of the different experimental designs. Consistent with our findings, glutamate receptor inhibition with kynurenate also increased the K+ threshold for SD in the turtle cerebellum in vivo.28
Because other channels may take over NMDAR-mediated ion currents during ischemia,1 characterizing the role of these channels during energy compromise may help to develop alternative neuroprotective strategies.
In summary, we showed that in vivo, the efficacy of NMDAR inhibitors on SD-like depolarizations and SI was critically reduced by increased baseline [K+]o. In human and rat brain slices, NDMAR antagonists rendered the tissue less susceptible to SD-like depolarizations, but they did not inhibit SD-like depolarizations when baseline [K+]o was increased.
| Acknowledgments |
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| Footnotes |
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Received February 10, 2005; accepted March 3, 2005.
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